While they did vote in favour of banning flavoured cigarettes, they wanted a long phase in period.

In the case of menthol cigarettes, they voted for the ban starting in 2022.

They also voted against proposals to ban slim cigarettes.

MEPs voted in favour of increasing the size of health warnings on tobacco packaging.

The warning will now cover 65% of a box of cigarettes and be at the top rather than the bottom.

MEPs have also voted to make a packet of 20 cigarettes the minimum size that can be sold in the European Union.

Stricter regulations were prioritised during the Irish presidency of the European Council earlier this year.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister for Health James Reilly wrote jointly to MEPs and appealed for the plan to be supported.

However, Irish officials in Brussels have described the lobbying of MEPs as “unprecedented” with countries such as Poland, which has many tobacco growers, also reportedly lending their support to ensure the measures are watered down.

Smokers&#39 groups react

Campaigners said consumers will have mixed feelings following the European Parliament vote.

John Mallon, spokesman for the smokers&#39 group Forest ireann, said “We welcome the fact that some products have been reprieved while menthol cigarettes have been given a stay of execution.

“But consumers are still angry that the EU, with the support of our own Government, is trying to restrict or ban products they have purchased and enjoyed for many years.”

Nicolites supports eu stance on e-cigarettes

Plans to class e cigarettes as a medicine under a new European Union law are being welcomed by the UK s leading brand.

With some commentators voicing concerns that legislation across the continent from 2014 should be seen as a last resort, Nicolites said a Brussels decision due to be announced on September 10 could not come quickly enough.

MEPs will next week vote on the Tobacco Products Directive which, the EU says, aims to help smokers quit and prevent young people picking up the habit which kills around 700,000 Europeans each year.

The UK Government recently decided that the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) would regulate all Nicotine Containing Products as medicines and Nicolites is in full support.

Nicolites managing director Nikhil Nathwani said It might come as a surprise to some to hear that we fully support the MHRA and its calls for EU law to create a Europe wide legal position on all nicotine containing products as medicines.

As a responsible company, we of course welcome the move to license e cigarette products and the proposed European legislation. We have always supported the concept of regulating the industry as it will provide a safety framework that will protect consumers from inferior products. Licensing e cigarettes is the responsible thing to do because health really matters and consumers want to understand just how safe these products are.

He added We are 100 per cent certain that Nicolites products will gain the necessary license well before 2016. We began investing in the licensing process some time ago and we are already a long way down the road to complying with all the requirements.

With a host of European countries still refusing to permit the use of e cigarettes on health grounds including Austria, Denmark, Norway and Turkey Nikhil said that a robust policy would finally dispel the many myths associated with the product.

He added We know that Nicolites represent a compelling alternative to tobacco cigarettes on a number of levels. Electronic cigarettes do not contain any of the 4,000 toxic chemicals known to exist in tobacco smoke and so offer an attractive alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes.

We find it ludicrous that many countries not to mention establishments and businesses in the UK oppose the use of e cigarettes when their reasons for doing so are largely unsubstantiated.

Professor John Britton, chair of the Royal College of Physicians tobacco advisory group, has said that switching to alternatives from traditional cigarettes, such as electronic cigarettes, is a healthier choice.

Nikhil added We know that they reduce the harm caused by tobacco as they contain no tar, no tobacco and do not burn like traditional cigarettes. Instead, electronic cigarettes contain liquid nicotine which is inhaled as a vapour.

If we can arrive at an all encompassing, regulated standpoint where everyone is clear about the obvious benefits of our product, then we can finally move forward and dispel the many myths that undermine the enormous benefits we offer.

Nicolites is the UK s largest brand of electronic cigarettes, stocked by a large number of national retailers, including Tesco, ASDA, Superdrug, Co op, WH Smiths, Martin McColls and over 10,000 independent pharmacies and convenience stores.

E cigarettes are designed to look and feel like real cigarettes, but are battery powered products containing liquid nicotine, which is inhaled as a vapour. They contain no tobacco and do not burn, not exposing users to tar and other carcinogens found in normal cigarettes.

To understand more about the benefits of switching to Nicolites, visit

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CAPTION Nikhil Nathwani, managing director of Nicolites.

Note to editors

The Nicolites Electronic Cigarette range was first launched in 2007. They feature an innovative design that offers smokers a true alternative that s cleaner, safer and healthier. An e cigarette contains no tobacco whatsoever. Although their tip glows a realistic red colour, they do not require fire or flame. Because they are not lit tobacco products, e cigs are in no way subject to the smoking ban. This means you re free to use your electric cigarette wherever you wish, safe in the knowledge that it is perfectly legal. Many users have found that using an e cigarette is much more socially acceptable. There s no unpleasant smoke odour and no smokey residue accumulates on walls and furnishings or in your hair or on your skin. For more information visit

Media

Please contact Paul Skipp, of Barques PR, on 0121 233 2080, or 07957 457911, or email paul for more information, interviews or images.

ENDS

This press release was distributed by SourceWire News Distribution on behalf of Nicolites in the following categories Medical & Pharmaceutical, Health. For more information visit